Mark Loretta pumps his fist after his walk-off single on Thursday. (Jeff Gross/AP)

By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com

Though Clayton Kershaw stood toe-to-toe with Adam Wainwright, the Dodgers were just an out away from defeat on Thursday. However, Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday dropped James Loney's liner and the floodgates opened, culminating with Mark Loretta's walk-off RBI single to give Los Angeles a 2-0 lead in the NLDS.